Agriculture Minister, Eric Opoku has spoken out against the controversial practice of appointing new personnel following an election defeat, a move that has sparked debate in political circles.

Speaking during an interview on Asempa FM monitored by MyNewsGh, Hon. Opoku shared his views on the matter, pointing to the financial strain and ethical questions surrounding such appointments.

“After an election loss, the last thing a government should be doing is appointing new individuals to positions that were never planned for,” Opoku remarked.

“The outgoing administration had already made adjustments to its budget for the year, so where exactly would the funds come from to pay for these appointments? It’s a practice that simply doesn’t make sense.”

The issue has become a hot topic, especially with the recent actions of the Nana Akufo-Addo administration, who made several last-minute appointments as their time in office came to a close.

Opoku’s concern isn’t just about the immediate financial implications but about the broader implications for governance. He emphasized the need for integrity in leadership, pointing out that such actions undermine public trust and complicate the work of the incoming government.

“If governments were honest with themselves, they’d stop this practice,” Opoku continued. “Instead of leaving a mess for the next administration to clean up, it’s important to think long-term about what’s truly in the best interests of the people.”

He also addressed the situation with the new administration under President John Dramani Mahama, which has taken a different approach.

Instead of hiring new personnel, the government has focused on restoring stability and prioritizing necessary spending within the budget. Opoku noted that this method would help alleviate unnecessary pressure on the public purse.

“Had there been no need for last-minute hiring, we wouldn’t see mass terminations or budgetary strain,” he added, stressing that the current government’s cautious approach was a more responsible and sustainable way to handle public service appointments.

In the meantime, watch as John Jinapor recounts ordeal after leaving office in 2017